MUSIC. CONCERTLINE / MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS.

Loudon Wainwright III's low-key folk-pop

October 26, 2001|By Rick Reger. Special to the Tribune.

When you're known to the public primarily for a song entitled "Dead Skunk" and a few appearances on the "M*A*S*H*" television show, it's hardly surprising that you're not widely hailed as a serious musician. Yet Loudon Wainwright III is one of America's truly great songwriters. As if to underscore that point, Wainwright has just released his best, most substantial album in years, "Last Man on Earth." Largely devoid of comic touches and topical references, the disc is a thoughtful meditation on mortality featuring lean, low-key, folk-pop songs suffused with indelible melodies and wry, incisive turns-of-phrase.

LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III performs Sunday at the Old Town School of Folk Music. 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-728-6000.

BOB DYLAN, Saturday at the United Center: Over the past several years, an audibly recharged Bob Dylan has flashed a variety of moves on stage -- punchy hard-rock, acoustic bluegrass-style picking, stinging electric blues. While he exercises all those muscles on his strong new record, "Love and Theft," Dylan also indulges in a surprising and less effective fondness for '50's rock 'n' roll and lazy, turn-of-the-century standards-style numbers. But recent tours suggest he'll be showcasing tougher, more engaging material at this performance. 1901 W. Madison St. 312-559-1212.

DEL MCCOURY BAND, Friday at FitzGerald's: Regardless of what one looks for in a bluegrass band -- knowledge of the classic repertoire, original songwriting, instrumental virtuosity -- the Del McCoury Band ranks with the very best. The ensemble's great new album, "Del & the Boys," is packed with the lightning fast licks and wind-in-the pines harmonies that define traditional bluegrass, yet the occasional Celtic influence, fine original tunes and a wonderfully apt Richard Thompson cover keep the band sounding fresh and unpredictable. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. 708-788-2118.

OTHER CONCERTS

SPIRITUALIZED, Wednesday at Metro: It's hard to believe that Spiritualized guru Jason Pierce got his start in the minimalist electronics trio Spacemen 3, as his increasingly elaborate Spiritualized records have culminated in a new album, "Let It Come Down," that boasts a 100-musician (orchestra, choir, etc.) supporting cast. Like Cecil B. De Mille, Pierce doesn't have big ideas so much as he couches simple ideas (gospel-inflected pop songs) in grand, epic settings. He'll try to replicate the disc's majestic pleasantry with a 13-member touring group. 3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-0203.

STEREOLAB, Wednesday at the Vic: The title of Stereolab's new album, "Sound-Dust," perfectly captures the group's often engaging, sometimes awkward mix of the abstract and the ephemeral. Generally, Stereolab has a knack for making French pop, bubbling electronics, '60's baroque rock and progressive song forms coalesce into charming, unique-sounding music, but on the new record that balance sometimes slips, resulting in some long, turgid passages and downright hokey stabs at lighthearted pop. Live, the band is enjoyable but rarely riveting. 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. 312-559-1212.

SUM41, Friday at the Vic: You don't have to be a math whiz to read between the numbers and detect some similarities between Canada's Sum41 and America's puerile punk-rock faves Blink-182. Sure enough, true to Pythagoras' Communicative Cash Cow Theorem, Sum 41 slams out brash, bashing, sing-song punk put-downs and insults very much in the style of the Blink boys. Call it stink-chronicity. Sold out.

WIDESPREAD PANIC, Wednesday at the U.I.C. Pavilion: Widespread Panic's detractors complain that the band's music is a rehash of '70's Southern rock, but to those who've endured an earful of what the current neo-hippie jam band scene has to offer, WP is manna from classic rock heaven. Refreshingly non-wacky, the band keeps its mostly tasteful soloing rooted to sharp, tuneful songs and coherent, Allmans-style group interplay. Harrison and Racine Streets. 312-559-1212.

Also: Beenie Man, Saturday at House of Blues; De La Soul, Sunday at House of Blues; Disturbed, Wednesday at the Aragon.